Bridgerton has finally returned following considerable excitement, with Netflix releasing the initial batch of episodes from series four for devotees to binge-watch.The remaining four instalments of the current run will arrive on the platform next month, yet viewers are already clamouring for the continuation of the programme and eager to discover how the narrative concludes, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Series four centres on the romantic tale between second son Benedict Bridgerton (portrayed by Luke Thompson) and servant Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), based on Julia Quinn's third book An Offer from a Gentleman. The programme also tracks some of the other Bridgerton family members, including Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), who has decided to remain unmarried, and her newly-wed sister Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).

The fresh series has employed some old-fashioned expressions that have left viewers fascinated, including 'my ward' and rake, which has appeared previously. Another expression that spectators are puzzled about is the word 'pinnacle', which featured frequently in the four recent episodes.

Here's the explanation of the word, its definition and its usage within Bridgerton.

In Bridgerton, pinnacle refers to achieving the peak of pleasure or experiencing an orgasm. The subject arises between newly-weds John Stirling (Victor Alli) and Francesca when the pair are having difficulty conceiving after almost a year of wedlock.

John informs Francesca that achieving her pinnacle can frequently assist a woman in conceiving. Francesca, who rather like her sister Daphne Hastings (Phoebe Dynevor) and other ladies of the ton, has been kept uninformed about intimate matters, consults her mother Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlan) for guidance.

Penelope clarifies to Francesca that a pinnacle is "a sensation" and "your heart will begin to race". She continues: "You gasp for air, you shout into the night. It feels like the height of pleasure."

Despite her clarification, Francesca remains bewildered and tries to fake her pinnacle, hoping that she will fall with child, but John states she doesn't need to "perform" for him.

More broadly, the Cambridge dictionary defines pinnacle as "the most successful or admired part of a system or achievement" or "a small pointed tower on top of a building, or the top part of a mountain".

It appears the word pinnacle serves as something of a euphemism in Bridgerton for polite society rather than orgasm, which wasn't commonly employed in the Regency period.

Nevertheless, orgasm was in circulation from the late 1600s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

The dictionary continues to note that the earliest usage of orgasm was in 1671 in the writings of physician George Thomson.

Bridgerton season four, part two will proceed to centre on Francesca and her quest for achieving her pinnacle.

Speaking about the storyline, actress Dodd told Swoondotcom: "I can't tell you how many times I said the word 'pinnacle' in the last year."

When asked if there had been any other terms that might have been used instead, Dodd explained: "I can't speak for the writers room, I don't know if there were other words.

"I'd love to know if there were other words, but it was always pinnacle from day one of me receiving the script. So I have said the world pinnacle about a thousand times."

Dodd elaborated on why Francesca was desperate to achieve her pinnacle: "It really breaks my heart that she thinks she's responsible for not being pregnant yet because of that.

"Obviously, putting that much pressure on that is not going to help it happen as well."

The star added: "She's just trying to make sure she's doing the right thing. I think she puts a lot of pressure on herself."

Bridgerton season 4, part 2 will be released on Netflix on February 26

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